Waikato have announced their matchday 23 to face Wellington Lions for their first home game at FMG Stadium Waikato in week 2 of the 2021 Bunnings Warehouse NPC.

Waikato will be the second game of the double header at FMG Stadium Waikato following the conclusion of the first match between Waitomo Group: Waikato and Wellington Pride in the Farah Palmer Cup, kickoff for that match is scheduled for 12.05pm.

Head coach, Ross Filipo, has made minimal changes to his side that beat North Harbour last weekend. The only change to the forward pack is Sam Cooper starting at hooker in place of Sekope Lopeti-Moli.

In the backs, Gideon Wrampling has been named at inside centre, combining with Bailyn Sullivan to make up the midfield. Wrampling’s inclusion means D’Angelo Leuila moves to the reserves for this match.

Waikato take on Wellington Lions at FMG Stadium Waikato on Sunday afternoon, kick-off is at 2.05pm:

1.    Ayden Johnstone (Hautapu)

2.    Sekope Lopeti-Moli (University)

3.    Sefo Kautai (Hamilton Marist)

4.    James Tucker (Hamilton Marist)

5.    Laghlan McWhannell (Hautapu)

6.    Samipeni Finau (Hamilton Old Boys)

7.    Mitch Jacobson (Hautapu)

8.    Jack Lam (Hamilton Marist)

9.    Xavier Roe (Hamilton Old Boys)

10.  Fletcher Smith (University)

11.  Mosese Dawai (Hautapu)

12.  Gideon Wrampling (Te Awamutu Sports)

13.  Bailyn Sullivan (Hamilton Marist)

14.  Liam Coombes-Fabling (Fraser Tech)

15.  Matty Lansdown (Fraser Tech)

16.  Dominic Hardman (Hamilton Old Boys)

17.  Ollie Norris (Hautapu)

18.  George Dyer (Fraser Tech)

19.  Hamilton Burr (Hautapu)

20.  Liam Messam (Hautapu)

21.  Cortez Ratima (Otorohanga)

22.  D’Angelo Leuila (Fraser Tech)

23.  Tepaea Cook-Savage (Fraser Tech)

Article added: Saturday 14 August 2021